GCSE exams scare me more than Watford

RISING star Peter Castle is more worried by the thought of taking his GCSEs than the prospect of making a possible first-team debut tonight at Watford (7.45pm kick-off).

Castle will become Reading's youngest-ever player, at the age of 16 years and 49 days, if he is given a run-out at Vicarage Road.

And he has had to get permission from his headmaster at Western Park Boys School in Southampton to take two days off and travel with the team for their Division 1 game.

Talking exclusively to the Evening Post, Castle said: "I didn't know anything about it until my headmaster got a phone call from Nicky Hammond to say I was involved.

"The head came up to me at school on Monday. At first I thought he was going to have a go at me, but he said ‘I hear you want Tuesday and Wednesday off school because you're involved with the first-team'.

"I didn't know anything about it until then so it was definitely a nice surprise. I didn't realise I could become Reading's youngest player, but that would be great.

"I'll get a bit nervous before the game, but once it starts I'll be fine."

Pardew will make a decision on his final 16 after a training session today and Castle is likely to be on the bench. But he insists his imminent GCSEs hold more fear for him.

He added: "I'm really looking forward to being involved.

"Even if I don't play it will be a great learning experience for me as there's so many top players here. I've not scored this season. I come up for corners and it would be great to get a goal, but we'll see what happens.

"Then I'm back at school on Thursday. I've got my German oral GSCE exam next Wednesday and I'll be more nervous then than I'll be today if I play."

Pardew is set to make changes with Adie Williams, Nicky Forster, John Salako, Glen Little, Graeme Murty and James Harper not involved.

Watford are expected to play a strong side. Stoke publicly complained that the Hornets played a weakened side in Saturday's 4-0 defeat against Brighton, but they only gave a debut to youngster Sam Swonnell.

A full squad depends on who came through yesterday's 1-0 reserve win over Southampton. The Hornets' second-string are on course for the